Today’s Reflection
IF WE GIVE what we are to God and enter that divine relationship, no vocation is by definition holier than another. We do not need to become ministers or missionaries unless that is our specific guidance. One of the holiest men I ever knew was a microbiologist. One of the holiest women I ever knew was a librarian. If we belong to God, whatever our vocation, God will shine through us.
– Flora Slosson Wuellner
Miracle: When Christ Touches Our Deepest Need
From page 93 of Miracle: When Christ Touches Our Deepest Need by Flora Slosson Wuellner. Copyright © 2008 by Flora Slosson Wuellner. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
When does God shine through your work? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
“This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
John 6:58, NRSV
This Week: pray for those who are learning a new skill. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Rose of Lima (August 23).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Sponsored by Upper Room Ministries ®. Copyright © 2018 | PO Box 340004 | Nashville, TN 37203-0004 | USA
25 Comments
Yes, i absolutely agree with the author.
As a teacher, God can use me to reach out with His love and grace.
However, my manager has given me tasks that are not related to my role as a teacher, recently, she asked me to source for advertising company to do our signage and window stickers. After i got one for her, she requested for another one. Now, she even want me to get contractors for her to do the renovation of the centre. With my workload, my hands are already full. I am not her persinal assistant. Why is she asking me to do all these?
May God help me!
Mary, MY heart aches for you as well! Perhaps if she asks you again to do part of HER job (or someone else’s?) you can offer that you WISH you could help but your ‘plate’ is already so ‘full’ that you fear stretching yourself even more would cause your classroom to suffer. IF she ‘insists’ further, YOU could ‘offer’ to TRADE some of YOUR work to do what would help her. Often Administrators do get burned out doing the same old (some) things. If she HAS the time, just distastes the particular duty(ies), perhaps she would WELCOME the opportunity to grade papers or prepare lessons; whatever it is you might feel comfortable enough delegating.
Thanks Pam for the bright suggestiin!
May God bless you abundantly!
Sweet sister Mary, I am praying this wonderful suggestion from Pam will take the extra work away from your teaching! I am keeping you, your parents, your sister and your students and colleagues in my prayers! Sending Love to you!
Thanks so much dear Marcy and Connie!
May God’s blessings and favor always be upon you!
It is my desire that God shines through in my interactions with students. I aspire to be positive and encouraging, instilling confidence where needed – both in my academic area and in self esteem. I want them to know they have a voice in my room and that I am interested in them as individuals.
Mary – may God grant you wisdom and discernment in how to appropriately handle all the demands being placed on you. I find that many teachers are “pleasers” and we want to be helpful and go above and beyond. But, I fear they are taking advantage of your kind spirit. Take care of yourself, so you will be able to tend to your parents and your students.
Grateful for something new and different this morning. Going to so many art festivals in the summer, many of the artists remember me from week to week. One specific photographer has befriended me and this weekend she is doing a festival relatively close to me. I am helping her set up her “tent” this morning, ahead of the show. I saw her a few weeks ago, as it was getting ready to storm. We got to talking about how she had upgraded to a more sturdy tent, but how challenging it was for her to set it up herself. So, for this weekend’s show and one in October near where I teach – I will be helping her set-up and tear down. Looking forward to the conversation during this time. Later on in the day, my parents and I will take in the show and do lunch. Grateful to get a lot accomplished at school yesterday, motivation was high after languishing Thursday. Grateful for a bike yesterday after school – beautiful, humidity free day.
I am definitely not a pleaser. I am being arrowed by my manager cause she is malay
Thanks Jill!
Blessings and may God continue to work miracles in your life!
Jill, I’m so happy you have attended the art festivals and other activities during the summer, especially golfing with your Dad, which bolsters God’s strength for you! I cannot wait until I’m able to join a Bible Study again! I received an invitation to a Bible Study at my apartment’s activity building on September 5th, 6:30 – 7:30 pm. I’m going to try to make it, now that my car is back. I continue to keep you, your Dad, Lary, your Mom, Gloria, your sister, Becky and her family and of course, Roger, your kitty, in my prayers. I am praying for God’s encouragement and Light to break through your Mom’s mood! Our God is able to do more than we can fathom and He knows Gloria’s needs! Sending Love to you all!
Yes, I too want God to shine through me, but I think only Gof knows when that happens.
Mary, no matter wher ewe are in the world there are divides that cause problems. In Singapore I suspect one such divide is between Chinese and Malay. As tough as these divides can be, God made all of us.
I pray that God gives you the wisdom and strength to work through this situation. Teachers should teach, I agree. That is a big job in itself. God be with you.
Thankful for Jill’s day. Many positives, blessings in that day. Thank You, Lord.
Thankful for a long walk yesterday, photos of my granddaughters, a nice meal, progress on the model, and a nature show on Scotland.
Prayers for the needs of the UR family and their families and friends. Thank You, Lord for being with all of us always.
Thanks Robert for your words if wisdom!
Blessings!
Robert, praise God on Erich’s new job starting tomorrow and for his excellent cooking! Thank you for your prayers! I just got my car back, after loaning it out for the past months to my friend who grocery shops and helps me with all SSI, SNAP, and insurance I receive through the Affordable Health Care/Medicaid plan that allows me to have BCBS. I’m going to start driving in the large parking lot here on the days my vision and no migraine allows. I haven’t driven since December! Good to hear that the Bismarck cab, coal and water supply bins and tanks are complete! After the boiler, what is next? I have to have someone with me to walk and still need the oxygen when on the move, but remain thoroughly optimistic that I’ll be able to go for long walks again. I, too, am praying for a safe school year. You, Erich, Annaliese, your daughter and her family, Pearl, the kitty and all of your church members remain in my prayers, Robert! Sending Love to you all!
Later this morning, my husband and I are entertaining his niece and grandnieces, three very sweet ladies. I ask for your prayers as we clean and prepare food. May we be attentive hosts. May all have a blessed weekend.
Andrea, may God shine through you and your husband’s hospitality!
Blessings!
Praying that you, your husband and guests will enjoy the fellowship and food with one another!
Thank you, Mary! The day went very well.
I hope you get good rest this weekend. Praying the next week goes well for you at work. God bless!
Thanks so much dear Andrea!
So glad that the day went well for you and your guests.
Have a winderful week ahead!
Andrea, I’m praying your daughter receives the article you sent her well. Thank you for praying! I am keeping you and Lowell, your daughter, son-in-law and bright grandson in my prayers! I pray your daughter, even though she herself is a psychologist, would seek out at least a few counseling sessions of her own. I am thankful for your comments, as I envision your words. Something I learned from you! Sending Love to you and all of your loved ones!
Thank you, dear Marcy, for your prayers, which I cherish. I am praying for you to re- gain your independence and rejoice you will attend a Bible study. May God sustain you and heal you. Your faithful model is an inspiration. God bless you and your sweet furry companion.
May God shine through me when I interact with others as I have no work other than caring for my kittens and my daughter.
Mary, my heart aches for you. I know you entered into this job when another job became too stressful and burdensome. There seems to be a pattern of teachers being taken advantage of in Singapore. I wonder if they attempt to hire fewer administrative personnel in order to save money. I will pray for you and this situation. May God guide you.
Prayers for Andrea and her husband as they prepare to be hosts for the day. May all enjoy warm moments of connection and may happy memoris be created.
Prayers for Robert and Erich. May Erich’s new job meet all his expectations.
Prayers for Jill and her family as they enjoy a summer day together. May they all cherish these times of connection and create memories to carry them through future times.
Prayers and blessings for all who come to share and those who read
Thanks Julie!
Yes, nay God shine through you in your interactions with others and also intercessions for others!
May God bless and establish the work of your hands! ( Prayer us work,(
Dear Julie, you are a source of comfort to me as I read your comments. Of course, my kitty, Lucy and I, love your kitty stories! And I am still processing the effects words have had on me over many years. The marriage was awful, heinous and debilitating in itself, but my mother was cold towards me and my parents didn’t get along. They were never happy until they divorced. My maternal grandmother anchored me in faith, and although I only had her for sixteen years, I am thankful for her to this day. I praise God I had her for as long as I did! It is good to know someone else knows these feelings, although I wish it were otherwise. Please know, my friend, that I keep you, your daughter, your Mom and Chai and Tazzie in my prayers each day. My kitty, Lucy, has always been affectionate and when I’m not well, she will not leave me for a minute! On migraine days, she curls up close to me and purrs and purrs. On good days, (she knows the difference!), she just rubs her face on my chin over and over again! Yes, the Lord has blessed me with her, my rescue cat! We were meant to be! Thank you for keeping me in your prayers! I am sending Love and hugs to you and the kitties!
A few years ago I would have had more examples of God shining in my work-lately the “shine” has dimmed somewhat as my “job” has changed. Days are a little more difficult to navigate.
Thankful for:
Many, many things
That Mary can share with us as do Jill, Robert, Andrea, Julie and all others.
That Erich’s good days continue.
Connie, you are an inspiration when you list your blessings! Some days, I have to dig deep to remember God’s blessings when I’m in pain. It’s harder, but not impossible. Praying for my siblings here helps immensely. I’m thankful your son is so “faithful in keeping in touch” with you! I have to admit I’d never heard of a virtual cat! Much easier to take care of! I continue to pray for you and your family, sister Connie! Sending Love to you!
Sending love back. On today’s post I didn’t list my “thankfuls” and it is my wedding anniversary! So I will share this one “Thankful for my Sister Marcy”! I always know your prayers are ongoing for us here.
Hello my loving siblings here in the UR family! I know it’s been a long time sine I posted, but I am always reading! Thank you for your prayers! I try to shine when I write out my comments to you. I always pray intercessory prayers every day and I don’t consider it “work.” God guides me through the Holy Spirit when I pray and that is another aspect of His Grace! I’ll do my best to post again tomorrow!
Louise, it was wonderful to see your post! You and your loved ones remain in my prayers!
Lou, I am praying for the family of the young man who took his life. I’m praying for your youngest daughter, as he was a friend of hers. I pray for you, as you have times of loneliness, to be uplifted by the Holy Spirit and run to God! I also struggle with loneliness and isolation and all I can do is pray and go to God. If my eyes are working well, I read the Bible and study the scriptures with a variety of other books about the prophets and people God placed therein; the NT teachings of Jesus and the apostles, and all of God’s word! I am keeping you and your children and loved ones in my prayers, Lou!
Betsy, I’m praying travel mercies for you! I keep you and your husband, and Grace, and all your family in my prayers. Also, your daughter and her family, of course, and her Boxer, Leo, is in my prayers. I believe our pets are family members!
I continue to pray for Francesca, Pam, Gail, April, Ami, Rusty and K, Joan, Jean, Carol and Robin, Chloe and Paige, Glenn, Kenneth, any of you I’ve forgotten (I’m a bit worn out), and all the names I have written down in my notebook. I pray for all who visit here and beyond for their needs, which are known by God. I’m praying for all in the path of floods, wildfires, mudslides, tropical storms, earthquakes, and experiencing drought. I pray for all those who respond to the needs of others. I pray for peace, harmony, happiness, good health, and Love for everybody!
And these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is LOVE! God’s heavenly blessings to all!
Add Comment